How do you tell the family members apart?

Match the show: blue shirt for the dad dog, orange for the mom dog, mix for the pups. Add a white belly spot to the pups only, the audience reads it instantly.

Ears keep sliding off the headband. Fix?

Pin the ears to the headband with two safety pins each instead of tape. Pins survive hugs; tape gives up by the second photo.

Aussie Dog Family

By Billy Litner

25 min · $5-10 · Easy

Fit: One per person, so kids and adults each get a real fit. Elastic headbands fit most kids and adults; if the costume uses a paper bag or mask, cut the face opening while it is on the wearer, small first, then widen until they see and breathe easily.

Dog-ear headbands and blue-or-orange shirts: mama, dad, and the pups.

Open this costume in Pick My Costume

DIY this week: ~$5-10, 25 min

Cut one paper ear template and check it against the headband before cutting felt.
Cut two floppy dog ears from the craft felt with the scissors for each person, about 5 inches long.
Pin the ears to each headband with the safety pins.
Pin a white craft felt belly spot to the front of each blue or orange t-shirt.
Pull on the blue or orange t-shirts.

Tip: stuff an old sock with tissue, pin it to the back waistband as a tail, and let it wag. Every dog family photo is better with a tail.

You need

Blue or orange t-shirt per person, 1 each (own, or buy: clothing store)
Headband per person, 1 each (buy: dollar store)
Blue, orange, and white craft felt, 1 sheet of each color 9x12 inches (buy: craft store, construction paper works too)
Safety pins, 4 per person (buy: dollar store)
Scissors, 1 pair

Steps

Cut one paper ear template and check it against the headband before cutting felt.
Cut two floppy dog ears from the craft felt with the scissors for each person, about 5 inches long. Match ear color to shirt color.
Pin the ears to each headband with the safety pins.
Pin a white craft felt belly spot to the front of each blue or orange t-shirt.
Pull on the blue or orange t-shirts.
Put on the headbands and decide who is mama, dad, and the pups.
Optional pro finish: stuff an old sock with tissue, pin it to the back waistband as a tail, and let it wag. Every dog family photo is better with a tail.

Common questions

How do you tell the family members apart?: Match the show: blue shirt for the dad dog, orange for the mom dog, mix for the pups. Add a white belly spot to the pups only, the audience reads it instantly.
Ears keep sliding off the headband. Fix?: Pin the ears to the headband with two safety pins each instead of tape. Pins survive hugs; tape gives up by the second photo.

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